Fraser aims to play hard in final junior year

The 2010-2011 Western Hockey League season will serve as a swan song of sorts for Red Deer native Matt Fraser.

The 20-year-old former Rebel is entering his final year of junior hockey, and he’s expecting big things in overage season.

“Last year, things went pretty well for me,” said Fraser, who tallied 32 goals for the Kootenay Ice in 2009-2010.

“I was playing with pretty good players in (Jesse) Ismond and (Max) Reinhart. I think we’re all another year older, and more mature, and faster, stronger and bigger, and I don’t see why another 30 plus season shouldn’t be a goal of mine.”

Fraser spent time at Vancouver Canucks camp this summer, and also took part in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, where he tallied two points in four games and by all accounts, played very well.

“I had lots of fun in Vancouver,” said Fraser, who got some advice from Canucks management before he was sent back to Kootenay.

“They told me that I have to play with that edge to get to that next level. I know that if I ever have that opportunity, I’m not going to be a top line guy, who’s expected to score every night. I’d be a third or a fourth line guy that’ll fill some minutes and go to the tough areas if I’m going to score, and I don’t have a problem with that.”

Fraser, who has his eye on earning a pro contract after this season, is off to a great start this year, recording two goals and five points in three games.

One of those goals came Sept. 29 against the Rebels, a team that Fraser, of course, loves to suit up against.

“Any team I play against, I don’t especially like,” he laughed.

“It’s been four years since I was traded, and there are no hard feelings there, but at the same time, if I have a chance to finish my check a little harder, then I will. It’s always a good battle with the Rebels though, and it’s always fun to play against them, especially in my hometown.”